In last Thursday’s Senate debate Republican challenger Christopher Reed said that Democrat incumbent Tom Harkin had spent the last eight years serving as Al Qaeda’s Tokyo Rose.
First, the comment was accurate. Tom Harkin has spent his entire career furnishing propaganda sound bites for almost every type of our nation’s enemies. Have you forgotten the outrageous and false commentary that Sen. Harkin provided to the Communists about the American role in SE Asia? Sen. Harkin has made even worse statements about the American effort in Iraq and the War on Terror. Constantly attacking one’s own country isn’t patriotic, quite the opposite. Tokyo Rose didn’t provide secrets to the enemy but propaganda that was designed to reduce American morale and elevate Japanese morale. Don’t you suppose that the Iranian backed militia and Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia found the commentary of Sen. Harkin and those like him (Teddy Kennedy, Howard Dean, John Kerry, etc…) most inspiring while Americans at home lost confidence and morale?
Second, why should we refrain from the objective truth re: one above? Don’t you think that we need more discussion of objective factual truths in politics? One of the reasons that we are in the political rut we are today is our failure to identify and argue the terribly deceitful, divisive and depressing conduct by which the Democrats have redefined reality over the last 25 years. God knows the liberal media won’t expose a creature of the night to the killing light of truth. Our first step in returning to power is to accurately describe the liberals in clear and unmistakable language, not euphemisms.
Third, do you think Sen. Harkin is an appropriate candidate for forbearance and grace? Have you forgotten all of his commentary about “chicken hawks”, calling the VP of the USA a “coward”? Perhaps you have forgotten the Senator’s wild attacks on everything Republican at the Wellstone memorial service. Sen. Harkin employs the most vicious of language against his personal opponents and Republicans in general. What’s that old saying about sauce for the goose?
Fourth, by using the truth to highlight the Senator’s anti-American radicalism we are still talking about that anti-American radicalism two days after the debate. The more we talk about the Senator’s past the less he can talk about the inedible pork that he brings to Iowa and elsewhere. Greg Ganske tried “winning with a smile” against Harkin and how’d that turn out? Attack the attacker and keep going seems to be a strategy that we haven’t previously tried against Sen. Harkin.
As a solitary statement the Tokyo Rose comment might not persuade anyone. If it provides the title of a larger and more concerted effort to expose the truth of Sen. Harkin’s sorry record of anti-Americanism it sets the stage for exposing Sen. Harkin to the killing light of truth. If Christopher had more money, a staff and some TV advertising we might have been able to really rough up Sen. Harkin. If Sen. Harkin wins Christopher will have still shown the first step on the road to larger victories in the future.
First, the comment was accurate. Tom Harkin has spent his entire career furnishing propaganda sound bites for almost every type of our nation’s enemies. Have you forgotten the outrageous and false commentary that Sen. Harkin provided to the Communists about the American role in SE Asia? Sen. Harkin has made even worse statements about the American effort in Iraq and the War on Terror. Constantly attacking one’s own country isn’t patriotic, quite the opposite. Tokyo Rose didn’t provide secrets to the enemy but propaganda that was designed to reduce American morale and elevate Japanese morale. Don’t you suppose that the Iranian backed militia and Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia found the commentary of Sen. Harkin and those like him (Teddy Kennedy, Howard Dean, John Kerry, etc…) most inspiring while Americans at home lost confidence and morale?
Second, why should we refrain from the objective truth re: one above? Don’t you think that we need more discussion of objective factual truths in politics? One of the reasons that we are in the political rut we are today is our failure to identify and argue the terribly deceitful, divisive and depressing conduct by which the Democrats have redefined reality over the last 25 years. God knows the liberal media won’t expose a creature of the night to the killing light of truth. Our first step in returning to power is to accurately describe the liberals in clear and unmistakable language, not euphemisms.
Third, do you think Sen. Harkin is an appropriate candidate for forbearance and grace? Have you forgotten all of his commentary about “chicken hawks”, calling the VP of the USA a “coward”? Perhaps you have forgotten the Senator’s wild attacks on everything Republican at the Wellstone memorial service. Sen. Harkin employs the most vicious of language against his personal opponents and Republicans in general. What’s that old saying about sauce for the goose?
Fourth, by using the truth to highlight the Senator’s anti-American radicalism we are still talking about that anti-American radicalism two days after the debate. The more we talk about the Senator’s past the less he can talk about the inedible pork that he brings to Iowa and elsewhere. Greg Ganske tried “winning with a smile” against Harkin and how’d that turn out? Attack the attacker and keep going seems to be a strategy that we haven’t previously tried against Sen. Harkin.
As a solitary statement the Tokyo Rose comment might not persuade anyone. If it provides the title of a larger and more concerted effort to expose the truth of Sen. Harkin’s sorry record of anti-Americanism it sets the stage for exposing Sen. Harkin to the killing light of truth. If Christopher had more money, a staff and some TV advertising we might have been able to really rough up Sen. Harkin. If Sen. Harkin wins Christopher will have still shown the first step on the road to larger victories in the future.
51 comments:
What branch of the service did you serve Ted?
For the liberal such questions serve to misdirect from the conversation at hand.
Oxygen thieves.
No - I want to see Ted get on every local channels 6 and 10 pm news and start calling the Dems un-american and Tokyo Rose. Blast it across the airwaves instead of hiding it on his website. We'll see how well that plays with the independents in the state who decide each and every election.
Give us your prediction Ted - by how many seats will the GOP control the Iowa House and Senate on Nov 5th?
Sporer,
First of all, I personally think Harkin should have retired this year. He has served his time, we really need fresh blood in DC. This would have been a great year to safely pass this senate seat to another D.
Still, after using these same tired anti-American arguments for many years, that standard R attack has finally run out of gas. I encourage you to keep it up, it will surely help us D's. Rather than come up with an up-to-date positive message, I stronlgy encourage you to play this old song over and over again. And to make things even better for us, I am very encouraged by the wing of your party that wants to move even further right to achieve success in the future. I just hope that rightward move will focus on social issues like gay rights and abortion. The more wing-nut fervor on those, the better for my side.
rf , you misunderstand going further to the right. The new wave of Republican leadership for which I have been calling is not “more conservative” but rather more honest and effective. This involves a variety of changes; first among them is the drawing of bright line distinctions with Democrats of all stripes.
As for anti-Americanism, perhaps I should be clearer. You and I can have an honest debate on the merits of going into Iraq but once we are there no American should be describing our effort as malevolent or impossible. For example, nothing went on at Abu Ghrib that even kind of approaches the normal violence and abuse present in American civil prisons, and nothing even in the ball park of, say, burning people alive or raping a prisoner’s daughter and decapitating her before shooting the prisoner himself, quite literally to pieces and stems with a nail gun. Comparing American treatment of Iraqi prisoners to Saddam’s was absurd propaganda for our enemies, you know the ones that are actually killing Americans and want to kill more.
Similarly, you and I can have a vigorous debate as to how to achieve victory. I am one of those who, like Napoleon, think God is on the side of the big battalions and more force is always better. You might argue a small high tech blitzkrieg with a small foot print is better. But once we are there our only objective is to win. Claiming the Iraq campaign was lost and desiring only withdrawal was similarly the kind of thing for which Americans were prosecuted in WW2. That is anti-American because it encourages American failure and encourages our enemies to fight harder. You are smoking crack if you don’t think a failed state or an Iranian client state in Iraq (sitting on an ocean of oil) would be terrible for American prestige and safety. We certainly know the huge boom that the Islamofascist terror movement gained from defeating the Soviets in Afghanistan.
Once a nation goes to war the only exit strategy is victory. This nonsense about the “Powell doctrine” always having an exit strategy is a political construct of the Vietnam era officers to explain the gross mismanagement of that war by the military and political leadership of mostly the Johnson Administration. There is plenty of time after victory to determine what went wrong and why, but once a “nation” goes to war everyone loses when the “nation” loses. Otherwise, you had better be prepared to defend the trajectory of American security and prestige following our departure from SE Asia. There are about five million fewer witnesses on that subject because the Vietnamese and Cambodian communists went on quite a killing spree.
I will say one thing that does annoy the daylights out of me and its all this David Petraeus is one of the great generals in American history. In reality all he did was apply the Marine Corps Manual for Small Wars (1939) to a low grade guerilla conflict. Up until Vietnam we never lost a guerilla war and always left the place where we fought far better off. We completely departed from the well documented principles for winning such wars in Vietnam and early on in Iraq. Gen. Petraeus did a good job in Iraq but it wasn’t exactly like US Grant, Dwight Eisenhower or Douglas McArthur. More like Arthur McArthur defeating the Philippine Islamic insurrectionists in the early years of the last century.
I sure hope we talk more, and more effectively about homosexual marriage and a whole variety of pro-life issues. I also hope that we start talking a lot more and more effectively about several other issues, like reviving economy with green energy technologies; promoting conservation through a host of tax and investment credits.
"I also hope that we start talking a lot more and more effectively about several other issues, like reviving economy with green energy technologies; promoting conservation through a host of tax and investment credits."
You might want to talk to Steve King about that - has he ever voted for such an approach? Probably not - still busy trying to get more important issues like English as the national language passed.
Is there any enemy of America that Tom Harkin won't embrace?
We should count ourselves blessed because there are Tom Harkin in Iowa sightings thanks to the debate. You know, if not for his six-year election cycle he would never come here at all.
"You know, if not for his six-year election cycle he would never come here at all."
And that doesn't seem to bother 60% of the voting population at all. Tells you something about who the GOP has put up against him the last 20 years.
It sure does.
Ted "Westboro Baptist" Sporer is a common Republican thug. Never had the balls to put on the uniform and is too coward to ever run for office himself.
And yes 60% of Iowans continue to vote Tom Harkin into office. And the majority of Iowans are going to the polls for Obama too.
Christopher Reed has shown he is a partisan hack, and while he will always have Ted and his "blame-Americans-first" radical republican following, he will never be elected to office.
This "tokyo rose" crap is the exact kind of thing that is going to keep us from putting together a majority voting block.
And if that isn't a priority for you, then please find another hobby.
Anon 12:19
You represent the archtype of the Republican failure. Perhaps we should continue doing what we have been doing.
Ignore the Democrats' record of failure, and in the case of Harkin and the real dangerous lefties, ignore the outrageous things they say about and do to our country's security and international image.
Most importantly of all, don't give 'em a taste of their own rhetorical medicine 'cause it might anger the Democrats or make the press hostile to us.
Even more quintessentially, you anonymously attack the messenger without refuting the argument. You just present a conclusion.
Why won't a much more aggressive and fact based attack work. Its unfortunate that we didn't begin this attack back in '03 as I suggested at the time. We could have spent five years driving up Harkin's negatives.
Or we could have waited for some magical candidate to come along and whip a thirty year incumbent with no battlefield preparation in the preceding years by the Party. I guess we've had four or five cycles to confirm that the later approach doesn't work so why are you, Mr. or Ms. ANONYMOUS, so afraid of change. What will happen, Harkin win again?
"Why won't a much more aggressive and fact based attack work. "
Because your typical voter thinks Steve Deace and people like him are assholes. You start trying to play that game with the general voting population and you will continue to get your ass handed to you. Reed could have tactfully made his point but resorted to name calling. If you want to play "monkeys throwing shit at each other" go ahead - but don't expect to win any close elections that way.
By tactful I assume you mean calling the President a war criminal, a liar and a betrayer of his nation or calling those who support the Iraq campaign chickhawks, or the President a devil? Have you not witnessed the rhetoical dynamic of the last eight years?
Or are you talking about all those close elections we are winning now?
Here's the question...
Do you think a majority of voters think that Tom Harkin is a traitor to this nation?
I'm willing to place a really large bet that they don't. So when this is the first time a lot of people hear about Reed, what do you think they are thinking? How about "fringe" or "nutjob". Certainly not "senator".
Anon 4:48
You ignored both the larger argument I raised in the main story and the comment earlier today.
None of the critics have answered the factual basis for describing Sen. Harkin as Al Qaeda's Tokyo Rose.
Perhaps a majority don't think of Sen. Harkin in the treacherous light I have described NOW but what how different would be the landscape if we engaged in a consistent attack over a prlonged period of time instead of ignoring the Senators words and deeds.
I hear you say "words" and "deeds" but what has he done that is "Un-American?, and as the Senator has been a little too liberal for my taste I do not believe you or Chris Reed are the authorities on Un-American affairs, or maybe you are?
It just seems like Chris Reed has no qualifications and therefore every one is blasting Harkin.
Harkin has a 6 million dollar and a 14 point lead, if any chance existed for a Republican this year, I'd have to believe someone better would have tried
Submitted for your approval, Ken bashing McCain along with his underground far right nut job buddy:
Anonymous said...
Romney would haven eaten this boy's lunch for him. Instead we get McCain babbling some incoherant nonsense, repeating himself..........
Thursday, October 16, 2008 2:31:00 PM CDT
Democratic Party four S's: slavery, secession, segregation and now socialism said...
I agree 100%.
Thursday, October 16, 2008 5:58:00 PM CDT
And what is the point of the above?
The point of the above is Ken is beating his head against the wall and Ted Sporer is carving a B on his face and claiming Obama did it
7 days until defeat Teddy boy
Doubt it.
Hi Ted Sporer!
Just curious, you've said the picture at the top of your blog here was taken at the White House, correct?
How much did you have to pay to have gained admission to that party anyway? Man, I've unloaded countless thousands on the RNC and I never got "invited" to the White House. So, how much did you have to shell out to get in on this affair?
Just Wondering.............
"I've unloaded countless thousands on the RNC and I never got "invited" to the White House."
That's because you are a Democrat and your misdirection is laughable. Last I checked it only took 25K for the Lincoln bedroom under slick willy so perhaps an Obama victory will reopen the bedroom for you. P.S. make sure you get the Monica Lewinsky package and avoid the Barney Frank one if at all possible.
Predictions for next Tues? How much of a bloodbath are we going to see?
It all depends on how many ineligible people vote and how effective Obama's endless advertising was. Obama and company are stealing this election and banking on being in charge when the investigations into his fundraising starts. No matter what happens we are facing the last two years of a Democratic congress.
It all depends on how many ineligible people vote and how effective Obama's endless advertising was. Obama and company are stealing this election and banking on being in charge when the investigations into his fundraising starts. No matter what happens we are facing the last two years of a Democratic congress.
"Stealing the election" - shit - you guys are starting to sound like the Dems from a few years ago.
I'm guessing that Ohio won't matter - Obama picks up a few Bush states from the last election and it won't make a difference. It will take a couple of major upsets for the Dems to get 60 in the Senate and the House is going to have massive coattails for Obama.
Rants should get the boot from leadership in the House and the Senate will easily stay Dem.
"Stealing the election" - shit - you guys are starting to sound like the Dems from a few years ago.
I'm guessing that Ohio won't matter - Obama picks up a few Bush states from the last election and it won't make a difference. It will take a couple of major upsets for the Dems to get 60 in the Senate and the House is going to have massive coattails for Obama.
Rants should get the boot from leadership in the House and the Senate will easily stay Dem.
Sure thing Comrade Democrat. We can all be Union and everyone will be equal with bread and peace for everyone. Once our beloved leader takes charge we will drive out the oppressors and put everyone we dislike on show trials complete with complimentary hangings. We will unite with our friends Chavez, Castro, and many other misunderstood despots. We will legislate the price of oil and sue OPEC if they do not agree with our prices. Nobody will attack us because we will wish our problems away. Yes, things will be much better with President Obama.
check out Kim Schmett's web-ad :)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z72_5N8pB7k&eurl=http://www.kimschmett.com/ It's hilarious!
You've failed to address the following points in your post:
- If these lies were true, how does Reed offer anything worthy of Iowa voters?
- Even if Reed had noble ideas, how could he get them to the people considering he is completely inept at delivering a message. The DMReg debate was a disgraceful performance on his part.
- Al-Qaeda are primarily Sunni muslims whereas Iran is mainly Shi'ia muslims. The people committed to these two causes are uneducated and completely brainwashed. They could give a flying-**** if some Senator from Iowa says anything.
- "If Christopher had more money, a staff and some TV advertising we might have been able to really rough up Sen. Harkin." And if I had a million bucks I'd win the election, he obviously failed to get any support.
- "If Sen. Harkin wins Christopher will have still shown the first step on the road to larger victories in the future." What is that step? Getting dominated?
hello Comrade Teddy "Westboro Baptist" Sporer!
When you cry yourself to sleep tonight and cuddle close to your pillow trying to supress your sobs, just remember that we will be back in 2010, 2012 and until the end of time.
Good day
You're a Republican? Just because you say so while posting anonymously. Right, we really believe you.
Dems are +4 overall for US Senate. Likely to gain almost 9 or 10 total. Really the main stat is that they are +1 on presidents.
Race called for Harkin, immediately after the polls closed, by fox news.
Nice theory there Sporer
You lose. The hatred you bring on this blog is very much part of reason. Congratulations on that.
Haha so full of fail...
Obama and the Dems get two years to wreck havoc and we shall see if our Democracy survives their excesses. We shall see rabbits, we shall see....
Polk County 57% for Obama. Nice work, Sporer. You really let your party down.
How is it Ted's fault? Tell you what pal, if somebody can get the Polk County Republicans moving I am sure Ted will be the happy to turn it over.
I don't blame Ted but I do blame members doing very little other than complain.
Come on Ted - spill the beans - when is Kim Lehman turning in her resignation?
I am a democrat. Always have been.
I like Huckabee and would have voted for him.
McCain made a mistake when he made the race about Obama instead of telling the country who John McCain is.
Again, I am a democrat and really could care less about the whole liberal/socialist crap, I really don't care about ideology. I want someone has a plan and who will fix these problems that we are going through.
I want to see people doing there job.
fair enough
Republicans must learn the lesson of MoveOn.org. Founded in the bleak days of the Clinton impeachment, MoveOn developed a grassroots Internet base. Building up its e-list of activists and contributors, MoveOn laid the basis for the incredible Internet appeal of the Obama campaign. At last count, Obama has 4.5 million donors, most online.
Conservatives cannot count on the Republican Party to fight their battles for them, and certainly cannot count on them to win. The right needs to develop cyber-roots conservative organizations to rival the power of groups like MoveOn.org. The stellar efforts of NewsMax.com and its ally, GOPtrust.com, illustrate the power of such efforts. Together, these groups raised $10 million for an independent expenditure on media in swing states featuring the Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s anti-American bombast.
And their efforts worked.
Virtually all the polls agreed that Obama would win 52-53 percent of the vote, but the surveys varied in the amount of undecideds they found. On Election Day, virtually every undecided voter went to McCain, and Obama’s final vote share was no more and no less than the 52-53 percent the surveys had predicted. This unanimity among undecided voters is attributable to the endgame of groups like GOPtrust.com and NewsMax.com
From Dick Morris
That is true.
Dick Morris has some valid points, what he fails to note is the fact that many of the Republicans talking points do not stand up to the test of open honest debate. Obama's campaign thrived on the openness of the people involved. During the FISA/Telcom Bill controversy Obama was taking serious heat from his own supporters and yet they never took down the "Vote Against Telco Bailout" Group on his website. This group had ballooned to over 100,000 members and was getting prime time coverage from the media. Even while facing criticism the campaign continued to allow dissent and discussion. Will the Republican candidates allow this open debate and discussion without deleting the accounts and posts of dissenters? If so, it will make their campaigns stronger, not weaker. They will just have to relinquish some control!
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